Producing engraved plates.



No. 648,854. Patented May I, I900.

. E. H.. DANIEL. PRODUQING ENGRAVED PLATES.

(Application filed Nov. 11, 1899.)

. 2 Sheets-Sheet I.

(No Model.)

72070 ra 771'c sly/ 16 r p THE NORRIS psrsas c0, WASHINGYON, n, c.

No. 648,854. Patented May I, I900.

E. H. DANIEL.-

Pnonucma ENGRAVED PLATES.

- (Application filed. Nov. 11, 1399. (No Model.) 2 Shee(s$heet 2 THE NORRIS psrzns co., WASHINOYON, n. c.

UNITED STAT S/PATE T, O FICE.

nnnnsru. DANIEL, or WASHINGTON, DISTRICT or COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOR To run DANIEL PROCESS COMPANY, or SAME PLACE.

PRODUCING ENGRAVED PL ATES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 648,854,6ated May 1, 1900; Application filed November 11, 1899 Serial No. 736,707. (No specimens.)

To all zen/om it may concern: 1 of the plate. A plate engraved after this Be it known that I, ERNEST H. DANIEL, of method when first cut by the engraving-tool ,Washington, District of Columbia, have inusually presents rough and uneven lines, it V vented certain'new and useful Improvements being impracticable always to out out the bite 5 5 5 in the Art of Producing Engraved Plates for made by the sulfur. Consequentlybefore the v Printing, of which the followingis a complete plate so made is ready for the press it must specification, reference being had to the acbe rubbed down until all marks of the sulfur companying drawings. are obliterated by abrasion.

The object of my invention is to produce The above-described process being the only 60 a process of practieallyreproducing upon a one known and generally employed for the plate to be' engraved or other plate an exact purpose specified, the object of my invention copyof an originaldesign,drawing,orpicture.' is not only to eliminate entirely from that My invention relates especially to the art process of marking a plate the slow, expenof printing and engraving generally, and,alsive, and inaccurate step in the process of 65 I though not exclusively, more particularly to manually tracing the design, but also to subthe art of engraving. upon metals. 1 shall stitute therefor a process new as well as extherefore for the sake-of brevity hereinafter peditious, cheap, and accurate. 1

employ the unqualified term plate to des- The reproduction of plates .from drawings ignate any body properly surfaced for enor from prints from engraved plates is Very 70 2o graving, whether of metal or other material. largely employed for the engraving and print- Heretofore in order to engrave upon aplate ing of maps and charts, in which the utmost a copy of a design, drawing, or picture the accuracy obtainable .is sought after; but in only practicable method known in the art to i work of that description, though the most which my invention relates has been to cori skilful workmen be employed, it is diflicult 7 rode upon the surface of the plate a negative by the process above described,although that .copy of the original design (that term to inhas been heretofore esteemed thebest,to avoid elude any picture, drawing, or other reprediscrepancies between the original design and sentation of-an object) and afterv'vard by the the engraved plate. aid of an engraving-tool to cut the corroded It isafact recognized among engravers that 80' or guide lines of the copy into the face of the in engraving areproduction ofan original deplate. The only method of corroding the sign there are two chances of error-one in, lines of the original design in the copy upon the tracing of the design and the other'in the the surface of the plate requires as an initial manipulation of the engraving-tool. By the step the tracing and scratching by hand of employment'of my method the firstof those 85 the lines of the original upon thin flexible chances of' error is wholly eliminated, and transparent material-such', for example, as with ordinary care and skill it is practicable asheet of celluloid laid upon the design to -to make in the engraved plateau exact reprobe copied-the result being the production of duction of a design. I effect the elimination a scratched design upon the celluloid sheet, of the first c11anceoferror-namely, the hande 4 from which the design can be conveyed to tracing step of the process above describedthe plate by filling in the scratchesiwith sulin first producing, by employment of anyfur and laying the scratched side, with the known or suitable photographic process, a sulfur in the scratches, againstthe surface photographic-plate copy of the design, and of the plate to be'engraved. The sulfur corthrough. means afiorded in that photographic 5 rodes the surface of the plate alongv the plate am enabled to produce astained copy scratched lines and reproduces a copy of the of the design upon the; smooth or-polished design over which the scratches were traced. surface of the plate to be engraved. It should. This method is objectionable on account of be observed in-this connection that the term the expense and inaccuracy of hand-tracing, stained as applied to the copy upon the 100 as .well as on account of the unequal andexplate obtained'throu-gh the employment of my ccssive corrosion by the sulfur of the surface method is used in contradistinction to the term corroded, as descriptive of the action of the sulfur charged scratched sheet above described, because the copy produced upon a plate by my method is wholly free from all objectionable corrosion and only producesa stain, which may be instantly removed by attrition of a buffing-paid. It is proper here also to note that attempts havebeen heretofore made to substitute for the stained copy upon a polished plate a photographic reproduction of a design upon a coated plate-that is, one coated with a film sensitized for the reception of a photographic copy of the design. This method, however, isunreliable and 'imprac-. ticable on account of the presence of the sen sitized coating, which under the action of the engraving-tool breaks away irregularly from the surface of the plate and either obliterates the design altogether or renders it uncertain as a guide. 'That method is clearly distinguishable from my process by one fact, among other distinguishing characteristics, that in the practice of my process a copy is stained upon or corroded,-althongh only to a degree perceptible to the eye, by discoloration upon the surface of an otherwise clean, smooth,

'and polished plate. The terms smooth and polished in this connection or wherever theymay appear in this specification are employed to denote that degree of smoothness which is or may be recognized in the art of engraving as a prerequisite condition of the surface of the plate to be engraved.

' In the accompanying drawings I have endeavored to illustrate diagrammatically the successive steps of a preferred mode of practicing .my process, the film and coating being shown on a highly-magnified scale.

In the drawings, Figure I is a top plan view of'a filni coated glass plate 'exhibiting five vertical lines as examples of lines which'rnay be produced in a sensitized photographic plate by exposure and development. Fig. II

illustrates a plate, as of metal, to be en graved,

bearing upon its surface an exact reproduction of the design-43o wit, the five vertical lines shown in Fig. I. Fig. IIIis atransverse section of the film-coated glass'shown in Fig. I before exposure. In this figure, as in all subsequent figures, the proportions of the parts are much distorted in order to illustrate the various steps of the process. Fig. IV is a section corresptmding to Fig. III, showing reproduced and depressed below the remaining surface of a sensitized film the lines of a design against which the film has been exposed'to light. In this figure it may be specially observed that'the width of the lines is highly magnified. Fig. V is a view corresponding to Fig. IV, with the addition to the raised lines of that figure ofa wax or like coating. tor of Fig. V after the application to the wax lace thereof of a flexible shect, ouc ondof the flexible sheet being raised, and cleaving away a portion'ol' the wax coating whose upper surface adheres to the sheet. Fig. VII

Fig. VI illustrates the subject inatillustrates a section of a plate, as 01 metal, against the surface of which is applied the flexible sheet with its wax coating shown in Fig. VI. The thickness of the wax coating in this figure is for thepurpose of illustration shbwn asof double that upon the upiifted end of the sheet in Fig. VI. Fi VIII is a view-in all .respects similar to Fig. VII, except that one end of the flexible sheet is lifted from the metal plate. This figure shows a second cleavage of the wax coating, part remaining on the face of the metal plate, upon which itconstitutes a resist. Fig. IX is a view of the subject-matter of Fig. VIII, showing the metal plate thereof after removal of the flexible sheet, the application of a mordant against the face of the plate through the broken lines of the resist or war; coating, and the final removal of the wax coating.

Repeating that the drawings above referred to illustrate the successive steps of a preferred mode of practicing my process, I shall now proceed to define the steps of'such a process and also to indicate such modifica tions or variations in the mode of procedure as I deem to be properly embraced within the scope of my invention.

Referring, therefore, to the numerals on the drawings, 1 indicates a sensitized covering or photographic film in which by exposure and development may be produced a photographic reproduction of any original de,- sign, drawing, or picture. Such a reproduo= tion is conventionally and diagrainmatically exhibited in the lines 2, shown as extended upon the film in Fig. I.

In FigII a planet a plate 3, as of metal, to be engraved is illustrated, and upon the face thereof are lines 4, which constitute'an exact copy of the lines 2 on the film l, and therefore of the original design, of which thclincs 2 are a reproduction.

The lines 2 and 4 in actual. use represent a design-as for example, a map or picture-*- and thelines 4, if exhibited upon the plate to be engraved, would be the negative of the lines of the original design. Since, therefore, there is no difference between the positive and the negative of vertical lines, the vertical lines are selected for the purposes of this specification to represent the lines of a design in order to simplify the illustration in the drawings; but it is proper to bear in mind the fact as above stated. v 1

In Fig. Ionly the surface of the film is ex- I hibited; but in the preferred modeof practicing my invention that film is carried upon a suitable rigid body, preferably a glass plate 5, as shown in Fig. III. That figure illustratos the film-coated glass plate before exposure, the upper surface of the film extending in a smooth unbroken plane- The first step of the preferred mode of practicing my process consists in producinga photographic copy of the original design, which is characterized by different levels of' sur-f faces. Such a photographic copy is illustrated in Fig. IV, in which the broader sur- 'a preferred process for producing such a plate as is illustrated in Fig. IV. Assuming that I have an original design in black on a white ground tobe photographed, I prepare an albumenized glass plate and evenly float the surface thereof with collodion, which may be obtained in accordance with the following formula: alcohol, (0 11 0,) forty-eight ounces; ether, (0 11 0 forty-eight ounces; guncotton, C IIANOQ O one and threefourths ounces; iodid of ammonium, (NILL) one ounce; bromid of cadmium, (Cdl3r onehalf ounce. The said plate is next placed for five to eight minutes in a very acid nitrateof-silverbath having from forty-five to fifty grains of nitrate of silver to the ounce of water, after which the photographic plate, as

illustrated in Fig. III, is ready for the camera. Being placed in the camera, the said plate is exposed to the design to be photographed, care being taken that the exposure be for the full time, with a small stop and in a good light.

The photographic plate is now developed,

preferably in a'solution made in accordance 1 with the following formula: iron protosulfate,

' 0f the original design in transparent lines somewhat depressed below an opaque and elevated' surrounding ground. Such a photographic plate is comprehended within the terms-of the definition of the plate shown in Fig. IV and may be employed for certain kindsof work. For other kinds of work itis desirable to increase the difference between the levels of the surfaces-that is to say, with reference to the subject-matter .ofFig. IV,

. to make the lines 7 relatively deeper than the broader surfaces 6. It is essential to the performance of accurate work that the lines 7 .should remain clear-cut accurate reproductions of the lines of 'the original design and that the elevated surfaces should be firm and rigid. For that reason in doing accurate work the swelled gelatin process of producing intaglio plates is impracticable as a first step in carrying out my process. I prefer I to make the plate now under consideration by upbuilding the elevated surfaces 6. The process of npbnilding may be accomplished in more waysthan one--as, for additional example, by repeated treatment of the' gepper 'veloper.

and silver intensifier; but I prefer to accomplish the required object in the following manner: Isoak half an ounce of 'Nelsons No.

.1 gelatin in eight ounces of water for fifteen minutes at a temperature of 70 Fahrenheit.

I then place a vessel containing the soaked gelatin and water into a hot-water bath until the gelatin is dissolved. Ithen add to this solution ferric sulfate, Fe (SO three grains;

'perehlorid of iron, (Fe Ol seven drams;

tartaric acid, (CJI O three grains, and filter the solution. The negative, by which term for convenience I shall designate the developed photographic plate above described, being slightly warmed, the solution just described is flowed over it evenly, and the negative so treated is then dried in an oven at about Fahrenheit. Upon removal from the oven the negative already described ap pears covered with a hardened coating formed by the application of the solution last described. A dark cloth is next placed against the coated side and the glass side (indicated by Sin Fig. IV) isv exposed to the sun for from six to eight minutes." By such exposure those portions of the coating which are in the transparent depressed lines 7 will be affected by light. The exposed negative is then developed in asolution consisting of gallicacid, (OJ-1 0 seven drains; alcohol,(C I-I O,) seven ounces; water, (E 0,) thirty-three ounces. The action of the light upon the addedcoating of the negative is found to have disintegrated the gelatin of which the coating is composed along the lines 7, where alone the light struck it, and to have rendered the gelatin thus exposed to light soluble in the de- The effect upon the negative after drying is not only to 'upbuild the surfaces 6, but to depress the lines 7. By proper nanipu' lation and removal, as in the developer of the soluble gelatin, the lines 7 may be depressed, even through the albumenized coat- ICC glass plate 5 itself.

The foregoing description com'prehends the preferred method of prod ueinga suitable p'h0-' tographic plate which constitutes the first step of the preferred mode of practicing my invention; but it should always be borne in mind that the method describedis butone of a variety of methods by which the required plate maybe produced and, as specified, that the surfaces of the photographie'plate itself, as shown in Fig. IV, may be transposed so that the lines 7 shall be elevated above the depressed broader surfaces 6.

With the above precautionary observation 1 next proceed to-describe the second step of the preferred mode of practicing my invention. Upon the elevated surfaces, in the present example the surfaces 6, I apply a continuous coating 10 of wax and in this connection employ the term wax to denote any smeary, sticky, or tacky substance, such. as beeswax, Burgundy pitch, tallow, or any substance which in rolling upon a surface with mate object of my invention, intermediate,

the stain finah.

'While I now regard and havedescribed my invention as being especially applicable to the art of preparing engraved plates for printin g, yet in view of the fact that my invention comprehends, essentially, a process of producing a stained or corroded copy upon any suitable surface I deem myself to be entitled to a claim broad enough to cover my invention within its fullest scope and with a view to utilizations which may hereafter suggest themselves, particularly such as may be accomplished by any development in the arts which may be suggested or fostered by my invention.

What I claim is- 1. The process of producing a copy-of a de sign upon 'anysuitable surface, which consists in preparing a plate with a sensitized coating, adapted, after exposure and development,to exhibit different levels of surfaces;

, placing said photographic plate in a camera and making exposure of it therein to the original design; treating said photographic plate, after exposure, so as to make a reproduction of the original design with firm and rigid elevated surfaces and other surfaces on lower levels, said treatment including development of the sensitized plate; applying a suitable material to said surfaces of one level and not to those of another; and finally conveying a copy of the design, in the material so applied,

to. the surface desired.

2. The process of producing a copy of a design upon any suitable surface, which con- 1 sists in making photographic reproduction of the design, characterized by different levels of surfaces, the elevated surfaces being firm and rigid; increasing the differences between the levels of the surfaces; applying a suitable material to said surfaces of one level and not to those of another; and finally conveying a copy of the oesign in the material so applied, to the surface desired.

3. The process of producing a copy of a design upon any suitable surface, which consists in making a photographic reproduction of the design, characterized by different levels of surfaces, the elevated surfaces being firm and rigid; increasing the difference between the levels of the surfaces by upbuilding the elevated surfaces; applying a suitable material to the surfaces'of one level and not to those of another; and finally conveying a copy of the design in the material so applied, to the surface desired. g

- 4:. The process of producing a copy of a design upon any suitable surface, which consists in making a photographic reproduction of the design, characterized by different levels of surfaces, the elevated surfaces being firm and rigid, increasing the difference between the levels of'thc surfaces, by upbuilding the elevated surfaces and depressing the d'e.- pressed surfaces; applyin g a suitable material to saidsurfaces of one level and not to those of another; and finally conveying a copy of the design in the material so applied, to the surface desired. I

5. The proccss of producing a copy of a design upon any suitable surface, which consists in making-a photographic reproduction of the design, characterized by different levels of surfaces; applying a coating of wax to those of said surfaces which are elevated; applying a sheet to the. exposed wax surface; removing the sheet and thereby cleaving the wax;

applying the sheet with its wax coating to a plate; removing the sheet and-again thereby cleaving the wax; and applying a mordant to the plate where its surface is exposed, through the breaks in the wax.

6. The process of producing a copy of a design upon a plate to be engraved, which consists in making a photographic reproduction of the design, characterized by differentlevels 7. The process of producing a copy of a design upon a plate to be engraved, whichconsists in making a photographic reproduction of the design, characterized by different levels of surfaces; removing to a required degree the material along the light-struck lines'of said reproduction coating the elevated, but not the depressedsurfaces thereof with asuitable. material; applying a flexible sheet to the coated reproduction, thereby coating the flexible sheet; applying the coated flexible sheet to the surface of'the said plate, thereby conveying to the surface of the. said plate a copy of the design, the material in'which the design is so produced upon the said plate, constituting a resist thereon; and finally staining the surface of the said plate where it is exposed through the resist, with asuitable mordant. v

8. The process of producing a copy of a design upon a plate to beengraved,which consists in making a photographic reproduction of the design, characterized by different levels of surfaces; removing to a required degree the material along the light-struck lines of said reproduction applying upon the elevated surfaces of the reproduction a coating of wax, continuous except where it is broken by the presence of the depressed surfaces; conveying a wax copy of the design from the coated.

reproduction to the surface to be engraved, the wax constituting upon, the said plate a material along the light-struck lines of said subscribed my name.

resist; and finally staining the surface of the ing a wax copy of the design said plate where it is exposed'through the rereproduction to the surface to be engraved, x 5 sist, with a, suitable mordant. the wax constituting upon the saidplate are- H. The process of producing a copy of a desist; reinforcing the resist; and finally stainsign upon a plate to be engraved, whichconing the surface of the said plste, where it is sists in making a photographic reproduction exposed through the resist, with a suitable of the design characterized by dilferent levels mordant.

of surfaces; removing to a required degree the In testimony of all which I from the coated 20 have hereunto reproduction ;applyingupon theelevatedsur- ERNES'l I l. TMN'IEL. faces of the reproduction a. coating of wax, \Vitnesses: continuous except where it is broken by the IHAS. E. RIORDUN, presence of the depressed surfaces; convey- JOSEPH L. A'rKINs. 

